Boom axle

Abstract

A crane boom is supported during transport such that it may pivot about a horizontal axis located forward of the terrain contacting wheels of a support assembly. The support assembly is detachably connected to the boom and has a telescoping frame which is pivotally attached to the boom adjacent its forward end.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for providing support for an elongated crane boom during over-terrain movement thereof, the boom being attached at a first end to a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: frame means, said frame means including a main body portion and an extendable forward portion;   at least a first wheel set, said wheel set being mounted from said frame means main body portion and including an axle, said first wheel set further including means resiliently coupling said axle to said frame means;   means affixed to said frame mean forward portion and defining a pivot axis which is parallel to and displaced from said wheel set axle; and   means for detachably and rotatably coupling the boom to said pivot axis defining means intermediate the length of said boom whereby relative motion between a portion of said boom and said axle may occur.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame means has a rectangular shape and wherein said pivot defining means is positioned adjacent the forward end thereof in the direction of travel. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: guide means mounted on said frame means main body portion adjacent the end thereof disposed oppositely with respect to said extendable forward portion, said guide means extending upwardly to engage and direct a crane boom onto said frame means.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: shock absorbing means mounted on said frame means main body portion adjacent to said guide means, said shock absorbing means being positioned to be contacted by a crane boom supported on said apparatus.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pivot defining means comprises: means defining channels having a pair of apertured side walls, a pair of said channel defining means being affixed to and extending upwardly from said frame means forward portion, the apertures in the side walls of said channel defining means being aligned and defining an axis which is parallel to the axis of said axle.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said coupling means comprises: apertured members extending from the crane boom; and   lock pin means, said lock pin means extending through said channel defining means side wall apertures and said apertured members extending from the crane boom.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivot defining means comprises: means defining channels having a pair of apertured side walls, a pair of said channel defining means being affixed to and extending upwardly from said frame means forward portion, the apertures in the side walls of said channel defining means being aligned and defining an axis which is parallel to the axis of said axle.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said coupling means comprises: apertured members extending from the crane boom; and   lock pin means, said lock pin means extending through said channel defining means side wall apertures and said apertured members extending from the crane boom.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: guide means mounted on said frame means main body portion adjacent the end thereof disposed oppositely with respect to said extendable forward portion, said guide means extending upwardly to engage and direct a crane boom onto said frame means.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: shock absorbing means mounted on said frame means main body portion adjacent to said guide means, said shock absorbing means being positioned to be contacted by a crane boom supported on said apparatus.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said frame means has a rectangular shape and wherein said pivot defining means is positioned adjacent the forward end thereof in the direction of travel.